I have had the fortune to volunteer for many non-profit organizations over the years. Helping is a major passion of mine, and I hope you enjoy some highlights.
While directing and curating more than 300 exhibitions and have contributed to over 650 exhibitions so far, (many friends, co-workers and I were contributing to community outreach, events, donating to various organizations and loving every moment! Many thanks to all our CSUF graduate student outreach instructors, community volunteers, and all our wonderful students.
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The floats were designed and built by myself and Dennis Cubbage with the help of Eric Jones and several Santa Ana locals. Amy Caterina created custom knit hats for kids at CHOC and we participated in a parade in the hospital for the kids. Thanks to DGWB and Jon Gothold for donating the Radio Flyer wagons. The floats were auctioned off as a fundraiser after the kids had a chance to ride in them!
Long ago we did a project with the YWCA in Compton. The people we met were wonderful and it was a great experience. We worked with volunteers and Kaiser Hospital. The mural we worked on was 60 feet long by 9 feed high. Alexander and the kids at the YWCA helped to come up with the subject of the mural. Lake with trees and animals all over. The kids at the YWCA wrote a song about the mural and presented it live to us on a special day that we were able to go back and visit. It was a wonderful project. Once again Dennis Cubbage worked his tail off to make something amazing happen for others. It was a great experience.
Donate Life is one of our major causes that we support. With Mike being a kidney recipient and Amy Caterina being his kidney donor it is a big time family affair to support Donate Life. Every year we participate in the Walk at CSUF and every year I work to get the word out about kidney donation. I have several friend who have donated to save the life of loved ones and friends. It’s a gift of life and so many people are on the list looking for help.
Outreach at OCC was a one summer even that we pulled off at the Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion. Eric Stoner and I taught photography and utilized the OCC campus including the Arboretum, part like grounds and amazing architecture as inspiration. We had such a blast. I wish we could do this every summer! Our student were amazing and we miss them!!!
Every years we make contributions to various amazing charities. CHOC, Second Harvest Food Bank, Local Arts Organizations, Local Students in Need, Heifer International, Holiday events with the Santa Ana Fire Department, Animal Shelters, Donate Life and this year Alex and I plan to donate to Saint Jude and others.
I highly recommend getting involved, volunteering or making a donation if you can to organizations you value in your community. Every little bit helps!
Many of the installation photos were taken by Eric Stoner who is amazing!!! and some are by me.
Philanthropic Work:
Performer, CHOC Follies
Fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Orange County, CA., 2011
Donate Life Organ Donation Fundraiser, Fullerton, CA., 2009-2011
CHOC Minnie Walk– Fundraiser Collaboration for Children’s Hospital OC
Float design and donation, Orange, CA., 2009
Artist and Designer, YWCA Compton, CA., 2007
60’ x 9’ mural project for children’s play area in collaboration with Kaiser Hospital
Project in collaboration with artist Dennis Cubbage
Volunteer Staff – CSUF Annual Auctions, Fullerton, CA 2006-2007
Educational sponsor for selected elementary and high school age students
Santa Ana, CA. 2004-2007
Program underwriter for afterschool outreach, CSUF Grand Central Art Center,
Santa Ana, CA 2004-2008
Exhibition and summer outreach underwriter, OCC Arts Pavilion, Costa Mesa, CA
2011
More than 400 additional volunteer hours contributed yearly to community outreach programs, support of emerging artists, student mentorship and educational support efforts. 2000-2011
A list of exhibitions and programs are listed in my resume if you are interested in seeing what I have been up to.
